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 Welcome to Cambodia |
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LAND AREA:
181,035 square kilometers. It is bordered to the North by Thailand and
Laos, to the East and the South by Vietnam, and to the South and West
by the Gulf of Siam and Thailand. |
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CAPITAL:
Phnom Penh, 290 square kilometers, is considered as the center of
Industry, Administration, Commerce and Tourism. The population is over
1 million. |
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POPULATION:
Total population is over 13 millions. Khmer people account for about
90% of citizens. Ethnic group is 10%. |
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LANGUAGE:
The official language is Khmer. It is part of the Mon-Khmer family.
English has gained popularity. The older people speak French. |
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RELIGION:
The official religion is Theravada Buddhism. Ninety percent of Khmers
follow this religion. The country also has minority religions such as
Islam, Christianity. |
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CLIMATE:
The
average temperature is 27oC. Tropical Monsoon; There are two seasons,
the rainy season from May to October, and dry season from November to
April. December to January is the coolest period.
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LOCAL TIME:
7 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). |
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TELEPHONE:
There are no coin-operated phones in Cambodia. Phone cards are
available through out Phnom Penh Capital and the cards can be purchased
at many outlets. There are also several mobile phone systems.
. Country Code: 855
. Phnom Penh Code (IDD): 023 |
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VISA:
The visa on arrival valid for a thirty-day stay is issued to each
tourist at a cost of US $20 and to each businessman at a cost of US $25
at the Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap Airport, and
international border checkpoints. Visas can be obtained at Royal
Cambodian Embassies or Consulates in foreign countries. Indeed, the
free visa (K) is issued to the Cambodian who live overseas. The visa
can be extended at the Immigration Department in Phnom Penh City. |
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AIRPORT TAXES:
For international departures: US$25 (US$13 for children under 12 and
children under two are free). For domestic flights: US$6. |
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CUSTOMS:
All passengers must complete an immigration form and separate customs
declaration for submission upon arrival. Any amount of foreign currency
can be brought into Cambodia , but the amount of local currency
(Cambodia riel) must not exceed 100,000 reils per person. Tourists and
nonresidents carrying more than US$10,000 in cash or its equivalent
must declare it - otherwise you may run into problem if you wish to
take the same amount out of the country. |
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CURRENCY:
The Riel. Denominations are Riel 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000;
5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200; 100; 50. Foreign currencies can be
easily changed at hotels, airports, markets and banks. |
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TIPPING:
Tipping is not required but is widely practices in hotels and restaurants in addition to the service charges shown on bills. |
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AIRPORT TAXIS:
Visitors enter Cambodia through Phnom Penh International Airport and
Siem Reap Airport. If previous booking is made, arrangements will be
made for an airport pick-up. If any traveler makes their own way to the
city, the taxi will take 15 minutes to reach Phnom Penh City from Phnom
Penh International Airport at a cost of US $7 and 10-15 minutes to
reach Siem Reap City from Siem Reap Airport at a cost US $5 Motorbikes
costs $1. |
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DOMESTIC TRANSPORT/ LOCAL TRANSPORT:
There are many kinds of transport in Phnom Penh. The favored mode of
transportation is still by taxi, car rental, bus, motorbike Cyclo. The
Cyclo (maximum US $3 per hour) provides visits with a way to view the
city at leisurely place. Rail transport is available. Travel by rail is
only possible to reach Battambang province and Shianoukville. There are
eight provincial airports throughout the country. River travel is
becoming popular, along the Tonle Sap, Tonle Bassak, and Mekong River.
Travel to some |
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parts
of Cambodia, tourists are advised to contact the Ministry of Tourism,
Provincial Tourism offices at the information counters in Phnom Penh
International and Siem Reap Airports. |
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FOOD AND RESTAURANTS:
Local Khmer food is inexpensive and often tasty. Rice and Fish,
together with a tempting array of herbs, sauces and spices are typical
Khmer cuisine. Curries and soups with beef, port, poultry and seafood
can be bought from any street vendor at a normal charge. There is no
problem in Phnom Penh. All the world's main cuisine are found here in
more than 100 restaurants such as European, Indian, Chinese, Japanese,
Thai, Korean and Vietnamese.
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HEALTH:
It's hot, so drink plenty of water, but never drink tap water. Good
quality bottled water are available everywhere. Also remember to wear
high-factor sun block when sightseeing, and use an insect repellent as
protection against mosquitoes. Although no vaccinations are officially
required for entry to Cambodia, they are highly encouraged. And one
should always bring essential medications to Cambodia, as there is no
guarantee they will be available locally. |
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NIGHTLIFE:
Plenty available, but take your own driver or "motodop" (motorbike taxi driver) for the evening. |
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OPENING HOURS:
. Government offices are opened from 07:30am to 11:30am and resume from
14:00pm to 17:00pm, Monday to Friday.
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offices are usually opened for business from 7:00am to 20:00pm
everyday. Banks are opened from 8:00am to 3:00pm, Monday to Friday and
Saturday from 8:00am to 12:00 noon. It is closed on Sunday and public
holidays. Markets are daily opened from the early morning to the
evening. |
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PHOTOGRAPHY:
Photography in airports, railway stations and vicinity of military
installation is forbidden and discretion should be used when
photographing people, particularly monks. |
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MUSIC:
It plays an important part in the lives of the people, and accompanies
all of the dances, rituals and ceremonies. |
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ACCOMMODATION:
More than 100 supervised hotels handle the yearly influx of nearly half
million visitors from all continents. Accommodation price is moderate,
but those seeking luxury will find five star deluxe hotels in Phnom
Penh, Siem Reap and SihanoukVille. Tour Guides Government-licensed
tourist guides are available to help visitors pay a trip. These
multi-linguistic guides accompany organized bus tours, or the guide or
the visitor can hire car on an individual basis with the driver.
Visitors are welcomed by more than 100 travel agencies and offered
guides speaking English, French, Japanese, German, Spanish, Chinese,
Thai, Korean, and Vietnamese. | |
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